Tobacco was viewed as indispensable to the war effort; General Pershing said:
“You ask me what we need to win this war. I answer tobacco as much as bullets. Tobacco is as indispensable as the daily ration; we must have thousands of tons without delay.”

Soldiers fighting on the front lines needed their daily rations. The trench ration contained a variety of canned meats (salmon, corned beef, sardines, etc.) commercially procured and sealed in a large tin box covered in canvas. It was bulky and heavy, and the soldiers began to get weary of the limited menu. Soon after, the Reserve Ration replaced it.

 

The first U.S attempt to make an individual ration issued to soldiers in the field was the “iron ration.”  The ration was issued in a sealed tin packet and was designed for emergency use when the troops were unable to be supplied with food. Rations did not contain tobacco until World War I.

The Reserve Ration was issued during the latter part of World War I to feed troops who were away from a garrison or field kitchen. It originally consisted of bacon or canned meat, cans of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, coffee, sugar, and salt.
Smoke of the Service – “For snappy swing and lively action – for fresh, wholesome, youthful vigor…” There was also a separate “tobacco ration” with 11 grams of tobacco and ten cigarette rolling papers, later replaced by brand-name machine-rolled cigarettes.

As American forces were entering the theater of war in Europe, tobacco companies fought for the market share of young soldiers. American Tobacco Co., British American Tobacco (BAT) Co., and Imperial tobacco Co., waged a battle for access to American troops in France. American Tobacco  claimed that the War Department had requested all of their shipments of Bull Durham. BAT ordered a 10% payment from sales made in European markets.

At the war’s outbreak, pipe smoking was the most common form of tobacco smoking in the Europe military. Soldiers usually received packets of loose tobacco and matches with their rations.

America supplied cigarettes to military men in stunning numbers during World War II. Philip Morris and other U.S. tobacco suppliers reported rolling and selling 290 billion cigarettes in 1943. With the rationale to relieve boredom and improve the morale of fighting men, cigarettes came standard inside K-ration boxes with candy and gum. If young soldiers and sailors wanted more, cigarettes were just 50 cents a carton or a nickel a pack. As a result, tobacco consumption skyrocketed during the war.

The C-Ration had six containers in one crate, and C-ration content varies. It consisted of the main course—like franks and beans— cigarettes, matches, canned fruit, chewing gum, chocolate bars, instant coffee, toilet paper, processed cheese, and crackers.

This accessory pack contained sugar tablets, water purification tablets, a wooden spoon, candy-coated chewing gum, 3 “short” sample 3-packs or one “long” sample 9-pack of commercial-grade cigarettes, and a book of 20 moisture-resistant cardboard matches.
Feedback from the field revealed that soldiers who smoked often opened up accessory packs to get the cigarettes and threw away the rest of the items. Later, to reduce waste, the accessory pack was divided into the “short pack” with cigarettes and the “long pack” containing the other accessories.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s Camel ads would tout:
“Each week, the makers of Camel cigarettes send free Camels to serviceman’s hospitals from coast to coast. This week the Camels go to…” The commercial would then list the hospitals that will receive gifts of Camel cigarettes.

During the Korean War, all ration units, breakfast, dinner, and supper included food, purification tablets, a four-pack of cigarettes, matches, gum, coffee, paper, powdered drink mixes, and sugar.

The final version of the K-ration consisted of three meals and with each meal a pack of 4 cigarettes. Breakfast Unit: canned chopped eggs, biscuits, malted milk, dried fruit bar, cereal, purification tablets, a four-pack of cigarettes, gum, coffee, a packet of paper, and sugar. Dinner Unit: canned entree pork luncheon meat, canned, processed American cheese, or bacon and cheese, biscuits, 15 Dextrose or malted milk tablets or five caramels, sugar, salt, a four-pack of cigarettes, and a matchbook, chewing gum, and a powdered beverage packet. Supper Unit: sausage, pork luncheon meat with carrot or apple, beef and pork loaf; biscuits; an emergency chocolate bar, tropical bar, or commercial sweet chocolate bar, a packet of toilet paper tissues; a four-pack of cigarettes, chewing gum, and a bouillon packet.

With the scientific data about the health risks of smoking, the United States Department of Defense discontinued the inclusion of cigarettes in K-rations and C-rations in 1975 but continues to sell untaxed cigarettes in military stores, called commissaries and exchanges. Profits from these sales support Morale, Welfare, and Recreation activities. ^[2]Smith EA, Blackman VS, Malone RE. Death at a discount: how the tobacco industry thwarted tobacco control policies in U.S. military commissaries. Tob Control 2007;16:38–46
By 1978, the Department of Defense had implemented basic smoking regulations, including the designation of smoking and nonsmoking areas.^[3]Joseph, Anne M.; et al., 2005. “The Cigarette Manufacturers’ Efforts to Promote Tobacco to the U.S. Military.” Military Medicine. 170 (10): 874–880. doi:10.7205/MILMED.170.10.874. … Continue reading

Vietnam war C-Ration meals contained a single four-pack of cigarettes offered in the most popular cigarette brands: Lucky Strikes, Parliament, Chesterfields or Pall Mall’s, Winston, Marlboro, Kools, and Salem for the troops.

In 1985, the Department of Defense conducted a study that revealed that smoking rates of military personnel (47%) were significantly higher than that of U.S. civilians (30%) and concluded that smoking had a negative effect on troop readiness.^[4]Arvey, Sarah R.; Malone, Ruth E. (2008). “Advance and Retreat: Tobacco Control Policy in the U.S. Military”. Military Medicine. 173 (10): 985–991. doi:10.7205/milmed.173.10.985. PMC … Continue reading

1986, the DoD Directive 1010.10 was issued by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, who announced “an intense anti-smoking campaign…at all levels of all Services.” The policy banned tobacco use during basic training, increased the number of designated nonsmoking areas and prohibited health care providers from smoking on duty.^[5]Arvey, Sarah R.; Malone, Ruth E. (2008). “Advance and Retreat: Tobacco Control Policy in the U.S. Military”. Military Medicine. 173 (10): 985–991. doi:10.7205/milmed.173.10.985. PMC … Continue reading

In 1990 as troops were deployed to Saudi Arabia, campaigns were underway to send troops “care packages” of food, personal care products, and cigarettes.^[6]Heard J.’ Operation Something From Home’ donations/contributions. Letter. September 17, 1990. Lorillard. Bates no.88014278. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/jcm01e00. … Continue reading,^[7]Operation Something From Home care package item list (6 oz or less). September 1990. Lorillard. Bates no. 88014276/4277. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/icm01e00. Accessed March 3, … Continue reading A retired army colonel requested donations of cigarettes from tobacco companies Lorillard,^[8][Memo re: Griffith request for cigarettes.] September 20, 1990. Lorillard. Bates no. 88014247. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/xnm01e00. Accessed March 3, 2009 Philip Morris, Brown & Williamson, and RJ Reynolds.^[9]Griffith ER. [Letter to A. W. Spears re: cigarette donations.] October 5, 1990. Lorillard. Bates no. 88014234/4235. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/rnm01e00. Accessed March 3, 2009

Philip Morris sent and distributed 10,000 cartons of Marlboros through the United Services Organization (USO)^[10] Philip Morris Companies Inc. annual stockholders meeting preparatory questions and answers 910000. April to members of the US Army, Air Force, and Marines.^[11]Winn J. Philip Morris sends nicotine relief to soldiers stationed in Mideast. Charlotte Observer October 7, 1990;Cabarrus Neighbors section:22 While cigarettes arrived in September, the Department of Defense (DOD) did not confirm that the shipment was made.^[12] Associated Press Anti-smoking group raps cigarette donation to troops. Roanoke Times October 4, 1990; Virginia section:B6 Later, the DOD reported that cigarettes were “mistakenly” shipped but that those responsible had been reminded of DOD policy against the distribution of free cigarettes, and no more were sent.^[13]Free cigarettes violated policy. Greensboro News & Record. October 5, 1990;sect. B:8. A donation, from Brown & Williamson, ^[14]Moore M. Cigarette gift has some at Pentagon fuming. Washington Post October 5, 1990;sect. A:23 of 12,000 cartons”, and donations from other companies of about 30,000 cartons,” were stopped.^[15] Savage S. Greenville man hopes troops receive cigarettes. October 12, 1990. Lorillard. Bates no. 88014268. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/fom01e00. Accessed March 3, 2009 However, later that month, the Defense Logistics Agency still suggested tobacco products as an “acceptable donation.”^[16] Gilje S. How to send gifts to our military in the Mideast. Seattle Times October 28, 1990; Scene section:K6 (The Defense Logistics Agency, a part of DOD, is responsible for providing “almost every consumable item America’s military services need to operate” in combat. ^[17]Defense Logistics Agency. Facts and figures about the Defense Logistics Agency. May 2007. Available at: http://www.dla.mil/facts.aspx. Accessed November 5, 2008.

Directive 1010.10 established some clean indoor air policies and cessation programs and prohibited sponsorship of military Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program activities (e.g., entertainment or athletic events) that identified a tobacco product or brand.^[18]Department of Defense. Directive No. 1010.10 Subject: health promotion. 1986. Available at: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/archives/d101010wch2_031186/d101010p.pdf. Accessed August 10, 2004 However, sponsorship restrictions were eased in February 1988. Although soliciting sponsorship from tobacco companies remained prohibited, branded promotions could be accepted if offered and if “the company sponsors similar events in civilian communities.”^[19]Green GJ. Commercial sponsorship of morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) events. Memorandum. February 29, 1988. Philip Morris. Bates no. 2047996268/6269. Available at: … Continue reading

A 1999 study found that, among 20 cohorts of high school senior smokers, those who entered the military 1–2 years after graduation were 2.5 times more likely to smoke a half-pack of cigarettes daily
compared with those entering college.^[20]Bachman, J. G., Freedman-Doan, P., O’Malley, P., Johnston, L. D., & Segal, D. R. (1999). Changing patterns of drug use among US military recruits before and after enlistment. American Journal … Continue reading

In 1991, as troops withdrew from the Gulf War; Philip Morris was “keenly interested in capitalizing on the successful military operation.”^[21] Moore M. Marlboro promotion opportunities [memorandum]. March 8, 1990. Philip Morris. Bates no. 2044972724. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/mti50b00. Accessed March 3, 2009 A military sales manager reported, “Over forty locations now have welcome home signs in place featuring Marlboro brand identification.”^[22] Coombs B. Worldwide military status report – 000500. June 20, 1991. Philip Morris. Bates no. 2040299751/9764. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/erp05e00. Accessed March 3, 2009 The company “produced the largest ‘welcome home event” for the troops at Camp Lejeune Marine Base, where 80,000 people attended.^[23] Philip Morris. A second decade of entertainment. 1993. Bates no. 2041954341/4353. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/aev96e00. Accessed March 3, 2009

RJ Reynolds’ developed the message, “Shake That Sand Out,”^[24] Poss MA. EIP welcome home involvement [letter]. April 4, 1991. RJ Reynolds. Bates no. 507799101. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/iao14d00. Accessed March 3, 2009 Reynolds planned to “be everywhere the soldier will be for the next six months,”^[25] Poss MA. EIP welcome home involvement [letter]. April 4, 1991. RJ Reynolds. Bates no. 507799101. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/iao14d00. Accessed March 3, 2009 and sponsored events on or near bases.^[26] Exchange initiative news update Shake that sand out! ’91 [advertisement]. 1991. RJ Reynolds. Bates no. 514187555. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/ggg13d00. Accessed March 3, 2009 In addition, the Chief of Staff of Special Forces presided over Winston Drag Racing as Grand Marshal; the event “saluted all American Forces involved in the Persian Gulf.” “All military personnel were admitted free.”^[27]Robertson TW. Significant activity report – May 1991 [letter]. May 29, 1991. RJ Reynolds. Bates no. 509049688/9692. Available at: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/nvi83d00. Accessed March 3, … Continue reading^[28]Smith EA, Malone RE. “Everywhere the soldier will be”: wartime tobacco promotion in the US military. Am J Public Health. 2009;99(9):1595-1602. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.152983

In the United States, cigarette smoking prevalence is higher among people currently serving in the military than among the civilian population.^[29]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2005–2013. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2014;69(47):1108–12 [accessed 2019 Feb 1],^[30]Institute of Medicine. Combating Tobacco in Military and Veteran Populationsexternal icon. Washington: The National Academies Press, 2009 [accessed 2019 Feb 1]. Cigarette smoking prevalence is even higher among military personnel who have been deployed.^[31]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2005–2013. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2014;69(47):1108–12 [accessed 2019 Feb 1],. Among military veterans, 29.2% of veterans reported current tobacco product use.^[32]Odani S, Agaku IT, Graffunder CM, Tynan MA, Armour BS. Tobacco Product Use Among Military Veterans — United States, 2010–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:7–12. DOI: … Continue reading Cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among veterans, at 21.6%.^[33]Odani S, Agaku IT, Graffunder CM, Tynan MA, Armour BS. Tobacco Product Use Among Military Veterans — United States, 2010–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:7–12. DOI: … Continue reading

In a 2018 analysis of 2010-2015 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 30 percent of veterans self-reported current use of cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, roll-your-own, and/or pipe tobacco, with the majority of the users (21.6 percent) reporting current cigarette smoking.

In 2014, the Defense Department spent nearly $1.8 billion on medical and non-medical costs related to tobacco use.^[34]Lewin Group. Cost of Tobacco Use & Exposure, Overweight and Obesity, and High Alcohol Consumption within the TRICARE Prime and Standard Population: Technical Report., 2016  In 2010, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) spent an estimated $2.7 billion on smoking-related ambulatory care, prescription drugs, hospitalizations, and home health care.^[35]Barnett PG, Hamlett-Berry K, Sung HY, Max W. Health care expenditures attributable to smoking in the military veteran external icon. Nicotine Tob Res. 2015;17(5):586-591.

A 2016 Department of Defense study found that 38 percent of current smokers in the military began smoking after joining. Among junior enlisted personnel, about 30 percent report current cigarette smoking after joining the military. Military deployment is associated with starting to smoke and, more strongly, with continuing to smoke, particularly those with prolonged deployments, multiple deployments, or combat exposures.^[36]Tobacco use in the military. Truth Initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/targeted-communities/tobacco-use-military

Until April 2017, military commissaries sold tobacco products at discounted rates on military bases. While the discount was supposed to be 5% below local prices, one study found that cigarette discounts were often much more than that, with a 73 percent discount and a mean discounted rate of 25 percent on base, compared with prices at surrounding off-base stores. Now, tobacco products cannot be sold at prices less than the most competitive price in the local community. There is currently no data available to assess how well this policy is being enforced at military bases.^[37]Tobacco use in the military. Truth Initiative. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/targeted-communities/tobacco-use-military

In 2017, the Semper Fit (Marine Corps Community Services) launched an updated tobacco cessation program called Operation Tobacco-Free Marine. The program consists of group classes and support resources to help Marines quit tobacco use.

October 2019 all Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities, which previously permitted smoking in designated areas went smoke-free. The policy covers all forms of tobacco use, including e-cigarette use. The policy put an end to designated smoking areas at VA hospitals and applies to everyone at any VA facilities, including patients, visitors, volunteers, and staff.

Across the service branches, 7.4 percent of service members smoked cigarettes daily in 2015, compared with 12.9 percent of adults in the general population, according to the results of the most recent Defense Department Health-Related Behaviors Survey of Active-Duty Service Members.^[38]Jowers, K. (2019, February 8). Among troops, vaping is now more popular than cigarettes. Military Times. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from … Continue reading

11.1 percent of service members said they were daily e-cigarette users, and 12.4 percent had vaped within the last month.^[39]Jowers, K. (2019, February 8). Among troops, vaping is now more popular than cigarettes. Military Times. Retrieved May 12, 2022, from … Continue reading